The House of Representatives has officially considered and approved the report of the Committee on Human Rights, passing key recommendations on House Bill (HB. 2376) to usher in a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s legal protections for human rights.
The motion was moved by Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde, Chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, who called on the House to consider the report initially laid on July 9, 2026. Following deliberate consideration by the Committee of the Whole, the recommendations were formally approved by the House.
The newly passed legislation repeals the National Human Rights Commission Act, Cap. N46, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and the National Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2010 (No. 24), replacing them with the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2026.
Key Pillars of the Approved 2026 Act
The primary objective of the 2026 Act is to align Nigeria’s human rights framework with the UN Paris Principles, significantly expanding the institutional independence, financial stability, and legal mandate of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Expanded Investigative Powers: Grants the NHRC stronger statutory authority to independently investigate abuses and violations across both public and private sectors without administrative delay.
Sustainable Human Rights Fund: Guarantees sustained financial contributions to the Human Rights Fund, securing long-term operational independence for national human rights programs.
National Preventive Mechanism: Establishes a dedicated oversight body to conduct routine monitoring and unannounced inspections of places of detention to prevent torture, ill-treatment, and illegal confinement.
Protection of Human Rights Defenders: Introduces statutory legal safeguards and protection mechanisms for human rights defenders, whistleblowers, and civil society actors in Nigeria.
Legislative Progress
On July 9, 2026, the Committee Report was formally laid before the House of Representatives by Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde. It was considered in the Committee of the Whole and officially passed/approved by the House of Representatives on July 23, 2026. The Bill will be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence and subsequent submission for Presidential assent.
The passage of HB. 2376 marks a decisive legislative effort to modernise Nigeria’s legal machinery, institutionalize accountability, and fulfill international human rights obligations.
